Clement Desalle second in Czech Republic

Clement Desalle of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team strengthened his second place in the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship after finishing runner-up in the Czech round at Loket.

The Belgian faced a tough race to eighth in qualification after getting caught up in the awkward first turn, but the power of his KX450F-SR got him out of the gate ahead of the pack on race day for two superb top three starts. Overtaking is always difficult on the twisting Czech raceway and Clement maintained second place throughout the opening moto with the leader always in sight to establish the basis for his podium result. Initially third in race two Clement moved into second place again on the seventh of nineteen laps to rank second overall on the day, just a single point shy of victory. The result has consolidated his second place in the championship standings as he outscored each of his closest rivals and the Belgian goes to his home GP in two weeks time with renewed confidence.

Teammate Jordi Tixier made a surprise comeback as he bravely shrugged off the injuries he sustained three weeks earlier in Portugal. Despite only two days of practice he immediately found his known speed and, joining Desalle in the top six at the start of the opening moto, he maintained that position for ten minutes and continued in the top ten for more than half of the race before the training deficit inevitably took its toll and he crossed the line thirteenth. He again started in the top ten in race two before the discomfort from his three week old injuries forced him to quit the race mid-moto.

Clement Desalle:“It was a strong day with two second place finishes, and I’m happy that I was able to turn my weekend around in a positive way as I didn’t qualified so well on Saturday. We knew that the start would be one of the keys; I got the holeshot in the first moto and I had another good start in the second one. It was a positive day, even if I don’t win the GP, and I enjoyed my riding today. I take it race by race; I want to do the best for me and the team. Lommel is coming and we have some good things to do there as I also like riding the sand.”

Jordi Tixier:“It was not easy this weekend, as I was unable to walk for ten days after my big crash in Portugal and I could only ride my bike before coming here. The speed was there and I also got some good starts but in the first race I spent a lot of energy to stay in the top six for ten minutes, then in the top ten for a further ten minutes before finishing the race thirteenth. I knew that I had used a lot of energy; with all my injuries since Argentina I haven't been able to train normally and in the MXGP class you must be fit. But we’ll keep the positives and continue to work to recover for the next races.”